An angry young woman, yet again

Adding another action film to her oeuvre, Malashree is back as "Daredevil-Dynamite Devi", the head of Mahila Rakshana Vedike, in her latest Mahakali.

Karnataka Bengaluru 24/04/2015 . Actor , Malashree in s film still Mahakali .

Adding another action film to her oeuvre, Malashree is back as “Daredevil-Dynamite Devi”, the head of Mahila Rakshana Vedike, in her latest Mahakali.

In an interview to The Hindu two years ago, while explaining her choice to act in films that have a woman playing the lead action figure, Malashree had asked why men alone must portray characters that loath injustice and fight it. Mahakali, like Durgi , Chamundi and Kannadada Kiran Bedi seems like the next movie in a series of ‘angry young woman’ films that the actor is synonymous with.

The film attempts to discuss almost every issue that has a potential to plague women, be it at home or at work. However, there is only one resolution that Devi has to offer: thrash the goons, mostly men. Devi does not believe in engaging in a debate. She would rather just pummel them into learning a lesson. When she does propose a solution, it is often problematic. For instance, when a girl approaches her saying her boyfriend drugged and raped her and is now refusing to marry her, Devi forces the boy to marry the girl. One wonders why Devi didn’t think of filing a case of rape against the boy, first. Along with these logical loopholes,

Mahakali is like a brochure that tells its audience all that Devi is capable of. The villains are caricatures: the corrupt politician who has the law literally in his pocket with a lawyer and a police officer as his aides. Ultimately, the raging Devi seeks refuge in Kali, the divine, entering Devi’s body slays wrongdoers.

Camera work comprised jarring shots that attempt to highlight the iconic status of Malashree. Comedy scenes reduce women to mere objects of desire, often negating the spirit of women’s empowerment that the rest of the film stands for. Malashree signs off promising her fans that she will come back with another stunt film soon.

Movie: Mahakali (Kannada)

Director: S.S. Mahendar

Cast: Malashree, Saurav, Lokesh, Srinivasa Murthy, Jai Jagadish